U.S. patent application number 15/561657 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-15 for gripping arrangement.
The applicant listed for this patent is GRIPPLE LIMITED. Invention is credited to John Butterworth.
Application Number | 20180070540 15/561657 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53178170 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180070540 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Butterworth; John |
March 15, 2018 |
GRIPPING ARRANGEMENT
Abstract
A gripping arrangement (10) comprises a wound portion (12)
disposable around a main support (100), and a holding formation
(14, 16) for holding a force applying arrangement (22). A force
applied to the holding formation (14, 16) in a first direction to
extend the wound portion (12) in said first direction can effect a
contracting movement on the wound portion (12) in a second
direction transverse to the first direction.
Inventors: |
Butterworth; John;
(Sheffield, South Yorkshire, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GRIPPLE LIMITED |
Sheffield, South Yorkshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
53178170 |
Appl. No.: |
15/561657 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
March 17, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2016/000052 |
371 Date: |
September 26, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G 17/04 20130101;
A01G 2017/065 20130101; A01G 17/06 20130101; E04H 17/08 20130101;
F16B 2/248 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01G 17/06 20060101
A01G017/06; E04H 17/08 20060101 E04H017/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 26, 2015 |
GB |
1505217.8 |
Mar 16, 2016 |
GB |
1604446.3 |
Claims
1-41. (canceled)
42. A gripping arrangement comprising a wound portion disposable
around a main support, and a holding formation for holding a force
applying arrangement, wherein a force applied to the holding
formation in a first direction to extend the wound portion in said
first direction can effect a contracting movement on the wound
portion in a second direction transverse to the first
direction.
43. A gripping arrangement according to claim 42, wherein a tension
force applied by the force applying arrangement to the holding
formation in said first direction can cause the wound portion to
contract in said second direction and tighten around the main
support, the second direction being a radially inward
contraction.
44. A gripping arrangement according to claim 42, wherein the force
applying arrangement is elongate.
45. A gripping arrangement according to claim 44, wherein the force
applying arrangement comprises a loop formation, and wherein the
loop formation can extend around the main support to engage the
holding formation.
46. A gripping arrangement according to claim 42, wherein the wound
portion comprises an elongate element and comprises a winding of
greater than half a turn of the elongate element.
47. A gripping arrangement according to claim 46, wherein the wound
portion comprises a winding of at least one turn of the elongate
element.
48. A gripping arrangement according to claim 46, wherein the wound
portion comprises a winding of substantially one and a half turns
of the elongate element.
49. A gripping arrangement according to claim 42, comprising first
and second holding formations, the first holding formation being
provided at a first end of the wound portion, and the second
holding formation being provided at a second opposite end of the
wound portion.
50. A tension applying assembly for attaching to a main support,
said assembly comprising a gripping arrangement and a force
applying arrangement, the gripping arrangement comprising a wound
portion disposable around the main support and a holding formation
for holding the force applying arrangement, wherein a force applied
to the holding formation in a first direction to extend the wound
portion in said first direction effects a contracting movement on
the wound portion in a second direction transverse to the first
direction.
51. A tension applying assembly according to claim 50, wherein a
tension force applied by the force applying arrangement to the
holding formation in said first direction can cause the wound
portion to contract in said second direction and tighten around the
main support, the second direction being a radially inward
contraction.
52. A tension applying assembly according to claim 50, wherein the
force applying arrangement is elongate.
53. A tension applying assembly according to claim 51, wherein the
force applying arrangement comprises a loop formation, and wherein
the loop formation can extend around the main support to engage the
holding formation.
54. A tension applying assembly according to claim 50, wherein the
main support comprises a support post.
55. A tension applying assembly according to claim 50, wherein the
wound portion comprises an elongate element and comprises a winding
of greater than half a turn of the elongate element.
56. A tension applying assembly according to claim 55, wherein the
wound portion comprises a winding of at least one turn of the
elongate element.
57. A tension applying assembly according to claim 55, wherein the
wound portion comprises a winding of substantially one and a half
turns of the elongate element.
58. A tension applying assembly according to claim 50, comprising
first and second holding formations, the first holding formation
being provided at a first end of the wound portion, and the second
holding formation being provided at a second opposite end of the
wound portion.
59. A tension applying assembly according to claim 50, wherein the
force applying arrangement includes an anchor arrangement for
anchoring the force applying arrangement to the ground.
60. A method of using a tension applying assembly as claimed in
claim 50, said method comprising disposing the gripping arrangement
on a main support, arranging the force applying arrangement to
extend around the main support, so that the force applying
arrangement engages the holding formation, wherein method further
includes securing the force applying arrangement to the ground to
apply a force to the holding formation to cause the gripping
arrangement to extend in a first direction lengthwise of the main
support, and contract in a second direction transverse to the first
direction to grip the main support.
61. A method according to claim 60, wherein a tension force is
applied by the force applying arrangement to the holding formation
in said first direction to cause the wound portion to contract in
said second direction and tighten around the main support.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to gripping arrangements. This
invention also relates to tension applying assemblies. More
particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to
tension applying assemblies and methods of using tension applying
assemblies.
[0002] In vineyards, the vines can be supported by wires extending
between support posts. The support posts are, in turn, supported by
tendons extending from the post to the ground. The tendons are held
in tension to prevent the wires from moving the support posts. A
loop is formed in the tendon and disposed around the post. The
tendon is then ancored to the ground and tensioned. However, the
loop around the post has a tendency to slip down the post, thereby
allowing the post to move.
[0003] According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided
a gripping arrangement comprising a wound portion disposable around
a main support, and a holding formation for holding a force
applying arrangement, wherein a force applied to the holding
formation in a first direction to extend the wound portion in said
first direction effects a contracting movement on the wound portion
in a second direction transverse to the first direction.
[0004] According to another aspect of this invention, there is
provided a tension applying assembly for attaching to a main
support, said assembly comprising a gripping arrangement and a
force applying arrangement, the gripping arrangement comprising a
wound portion disposable around a support and a holding formation
for holding the force applying arrangement, wherein a force applied
to the holding formation in a first direction to extend the wound
portion in said first direction effects a contracting movement on
the wound portion in a second direction transverse to the first
direction.
[0005] According to another aspect of this invention, there is
provided a method of using a tension applying assembly as described
above, said method comprising disposing the gripping arrangement on
a main support, arranging the force applying arrangement to extend
around the main support, so that the force applying arrangement
engages the holding formation, and securing the force applying
arrangement to the ground, wherein the force applying arrangement
can apply a force to the holding formation to cause the gripping
arrangement to extend in a first direction lengthwise of the main
support, and contract in a second direction transverse to the first
direction to grip the main support.
[0006] Thus, a tension force applied by the force applying
arrangement to the holding formation in said first direction causes
the wound portion to contract in said second direction and tighten
around the main support. The contraction of the wound portion may
be a radially inward contraction.
[0007] The main support may comprise a support post, which may be a
cylindrical post.
[0008] The force applying arrangement may comprise a flexible
member, which may be an elongate flexible member. The force
applying arrangement may comprise an elongate tendon. The elongate
member may comprise a wire, wire rope, cable or the like. The force
applying arrangement may comprise a stay.
[0009] The force applying arrangement may comprise a loop formation
on the elongate element. In use, the loop formation may extend
around the main support and may engage the holding formation.
[0010] The wound portion may comprise an elongate element. The
wound portion may comprise a winding of greater than half a turn of
the elongate element. In one embodiment, the wound portion may
comprise a winding of at least one turn of the elongate element.
The wound portion may comprise a winding of substantially one and a
half turns of the elongate element.
[0011] The gripping arrangement may comprise first and second
holding formations. The first holding formation may be provided at
a first end of the wound portion. The second holding formation may
be provided at a second opposite end of the wound portion.
[0012] The, or each, holding formation may comprise a hook. Where
the securing arrangement comprises first and second holding
formations, the first holding formation may comprise a first hook,
and the second holding formation may comprise a second hook.
[0013] The force applying arrangement may include a loop formation
to extend around the main support. The loop formation may engage
the holding formation, whereby the force applying arrangement can
apply a tension force to the holding formation in said first
direction to cause the wound portion to contract as aforesaid and
grip the main support.
[0014] The force applying arrangement may comprise a subsidiary
support for supporting the main support. The force applying
arrangement may comprise the elongate element and an anchor
arrangement for anchoring the force applying arrangement to the
ground. The anchor arrangement may be as described in published UK
Patent Application No. GB2514004. The force applying arrangement
may be tightened, thereby applying a force to the holding
formation.
[0015] At least one embodiment of the invention will now be
described by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is an end view of a gripping arrangement;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a view along the lines II-II in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a view along the lines III-III in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the gripping arrangement
shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a tension applying assembly comprising a force
applying arrangement and a gripping arrangement in use on a main
support;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a close up of the region marked VI in FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 7 shows the tension applying assembly and the main
support shown in FIG. 5 with a further tension applying
arrangement.
[0023] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a gripping arrangement 10 for gripping a
main support such as a cylindrical support post 100 (see FIGS. 5 to
7). The gripping arrangement 10 comprises a wound portion 12 and a
holding formation comprising first and second hook formations 14,
16.
[0024] The first and second hook formations 14, 16 are provided at
respective first and second opposite ends of the wound portion 12.
The wound portion 12 comprises an elongate element 18 and is formed
of a winding of one and a half turns of the elongate element 18. As
can be seen from FIG. 1, the end profile of the wound portion 12 is
substantially circular.
[0025] The hook formations 14, 16 are arranged so that the gripping
arrangement 10 can be used with either the first or the second hook
formations 14, 16 at the lower end of the wound portion 12. In the
drawings, the first hook formation 14 of each of the gripping
arrangements 10 shown is disposed at the lower end of the wound
portion 12.
[0026] A tension applying assembly 20 suitable for use in an
agricultural environment, for example a vineyard, is shown in FIGS.
5 to 7. The tension applying assembly 20 is used to apply tension
to the support post 100, which is provided at the end of a row of
vines to support the cables on which the vines are grown. The
tension applying assembly 20 comprises the gripping arrangement 10
and a force applying arrangement 22.
[0027] The force applying arrangement 22 comprises a flexible
elongate tendon 24 and a ground anchor (not shown) at the lower end
of the flexible elongate tendon 24 to secure the flexible elongate
tendon 24 to the ground. An example of a suitable ground anchor is
described in published U.K. Patent Application No. GB2514004.
[0028] The force applying arrangement 22 further includes a loop
formation 26 at the opposite upper end of the flexible elongate
tendon 24. In the embodiment shown, the loop formation 26 comprises
a ring 27 attached to the end of the elongate tendon 24. The loop
formation 26 is formed by passing the elongate tendon 24 through
the ring 27. It will be appreciated that the loop formation 26
could be formed in any other suitable way known in the art.
[0029] In use, the loop formation 26 is arranged around the support
post 20 in engagement with the first hook formation 14 at the lower
end of the wound portion 12. When tension is applied to the force
applying arrangement 22, the support post 100 is held in the
position shown in FIG. 5.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows the support post 100 at an oblique angle. It
will be appreciated that, if desired, the support post 100 could be
vertical.
[0031] In use, the gripping arrangement 10 is disposed on the
support post 100 so that the wound portion 12 extends around the
support post 100 and the first hook formation 14 faces away from
the flexible elongate tendon 24. The loop formation 26 is disposed
around the support post 100, as described above, above the first
hook formation 14, as shown in FIG. 6. The flexible elongate tendon
24 is arranged under tension as indicated by the arrow A in FIGS. 5
and 6.
[0032] If the loop formation 26 slips down the support post 100, it
comes into engagement with the first hook formation 14, thereby
pulling the first hook formation 14 downwardly in a first direction
along the support post 100, as indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 6.
This causes the wound portion 12 to extend lengthwise along the
support post 100.
[0033] The extension of the wound portion 12 by the slipping of the
loop formation 26 has the effect of causing the wound portion 12 to
contract radially inwardly, i.e. in a direction transverse to the
direction of extension of the wound portion 12. As a result of this
contraction of the wound portion 12, the wound portion 12 is pulled
tight against the support post 100, thereby gripping the support
post 100.
[0034] The gripping of the support post 100 by the wound portion 12
inhibits further movement of the loop formation 26 down the support
post 100.
[0035] The tension applying assembly 20 can be used to secure a
vine support cable 102 to the support post 100, as shown in FIG. 7.
The vine support cable 102 comprises a further loop formation
104.
[0036] The further loop formation 104 is arranged around the
support post 100 and across the lower first hook formation 14 on a
further gripping arrangement 10A. As the vine support cable 102 is
pulled tight, as indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 7, the loop
formation 104 is pulled on to the first hook formation 14, thereby
pulling the first hook formation 14 downwardly. The wound portion
12 is thus caused to extend in the lengthwise direction of the
support post 100 and to contract radially inwardly, thereby
gripping the support post 100. As a result, the vine support cable
102 is held at the desired height on the support post 100.
[0037] There is thus described a gripping arrangement 10 and a
tension applying assembly 20 which allows a force applying
arrangement 22 to be secured to a main support and help prevent
movement of the force applying arrangement downwardly along the
support post 100. Further, the gripping arrangement 10 can be
disposed on the support post 10 laterally, for example by winding
the gripping arrangement 10 around the support post, and does not
have to be pushed over the support post 100 from one end. Thus, the
gripping arrangement 10 can be fitted to the support post 100 while
it is in use.
[0038] Various modifications can be made without departing from the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *